Obituaries 4/27/09

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John Onufry

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — John Onufry of St. Petersburg, Fla., died April 15, 2009, following complications from a stroke. He was born in Newburyport, Mass., in 1923. John was the son of Wanda (Mammoth) Onufrowicz and John Onufrowicz. He was predeceased by his older brother Edwin in 1942.

John “Clip” Onufry graduated from Ipswich High School and Posser College, and he attended the University of New Hampshire. He served in the U.S. Navy as a radio operator on the Island of Morotai in the Pacific during WW II.

After being a longtime resident of Boxford, Mass., John retired to St. Petersburg, Fla. Before his retirement he worked in the insurance and car industries. John was an active tennis player and later became a tennis professional in Massachusetts and Florida.

He was an accomplished skier, which included conquering Tuckerman’s Ravine in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. John also loved the game of golf, working and playing many hours at Isla del Sol Yacht and Golf Club in St. Petersburg. Singing was a lifelong passion for John, and a gift that his children will always remember and cherish as well as his great sense of humor and love of poetry.

Mr. Onufry is survived by his three children and their spouses: K.O. Onufry of Salisbury, Vt., Mark and Asa Onufry of Boxford, Mass., and Diane and Mark Thompson of Boxford, Mass. He was a loving grandfather to Skyler Browder, Erik and Anna Onufry, and Tory, Alex and Mark Thompson. He is also survived by his brother, William Onufry and wife Lorraine of Wolfboro, N.H., and their children, Richard, Patrice and Suzanne.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of John may be made to Tenacity, a program transforming youth through literacy, life-skills and tennis: Tenacity Inc., 367 Western Ave., 2nd floor, Brighton, MA 02135.

A celebration of John’s life will be held on May 16, 2009, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Ipswich VFW, 110 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938.

Norma Lois Meyer

BRANDON — Norma Lois Meyer, 76, died Saturday, April 18, 2009, at her family farm in Brandon.

She was born in Brandon on Nov. 19, 1932, the daughter of Earl and Lila (Trombley) Dunshee.

She graduated from Brandon High School, class of 1950. She afterwards attended Ithaca College.

In her earlier years she worked as a waitress at the Sagamore Inn at Bolton Landing, N.Y., where she met her future husband, a chef, Robert H. Meyer. They were married on Jan. 15, 1953, in Key West, Fla. They returned to Brandon in 1958.

She worked at the Brandon Bank for several years before taking a position at Otter Valley Union High School as a teacher’s aide and later as an office secretary. She worked as a legal secretary for attorney Jeff Smith in Brandon for 16 years prior to her retirement.

She was an avid golfer and life member at Neshobe Golf Club in Brandon, and an avid reader and frequent patron at the Brandon Free Public Library. Family says she looked forward to spending part of the winter watching the sunrise over the Atlantic and walking the beach at Ponce Inlet, Fla. She worked as a volunteer at Rutland Regional Medical Center and attended St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Brandon.

She is survived by two daughters, Andrea Meyer of Brandon and Jeanne Meyer and her companion Ron Richards of Goshen; three sisters, Jeanne Jenkins of Williston, Mary Ketcham of Brandon and Elinor Johnson of Wooster, Mass.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her husband on March 12, 1988; a brother, Erwin Dunshee; and a sister, Arlene Sherman.

A memorial service in celebration of her life will be held Friday, April 24, at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Brandon. The Rev. Margaret Fletcher will officiate. A private graveside committal service and burial will take place at a later date in the family lot at Greenwood Cemetery in Bristol.

Friends may call at the Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon on Thursday, April 23, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers may be made in her memory to the Brandon Free Public Library, 2 Franklin St., Brandon, VT 05733, or to the Rutland County Humane Society, 765 Stevens Rd., Pittsford, VT 05763.

Ronald Earl Liberty

FAIR HAVEN — Ronald Earl Liberty, 50, died April 15, 2009, at Fletcher Allen Health Care after a long, courageous battle with diabetes, kidney disease and congestive heart failure. His family has deep roots in Starksboro.

He was born on Feb. 27, 1959, in Westford, the son of Patrick and Marguerite Liberty.

He enjoyed four-wheeling, fishing, working on cars and all things outdoors. He worked as a dump truck driver and heavy equipment operator, which he also enjoyed very much.

Ron is survived by a daughter, Christine Liberty of Fair Haven; his loving mother, Marguerite Liberty of Westford; his brother, Ricky and wife Brenda; a sister, Anne Liberty of Winooski; five nephews and one niece; and his devoted and faithful friend, his dog Peaches.

Ronald was predeceased by his father, Patrick H. Liberty, in December 2008, and by several aunts and uncles.

Special thanks go out to a very wonderful caregiver and friend, Lisa Van Guilder; she will never be forgotten for her strength, love and generosity. Thank you to Lee Culver for the care of Ronald by taking him for rides and fishing, which they enjoyed doing together, and special thank you to Lena and the staff of the kidney dialysis unit of Rutland Hospital, whom he enjoyed very much, and the many doctors Ronald had over the years.

A time of celebration will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2009, with calling hours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Richmond Congregational Church, 20 Church St., Richmond, Vt. Contributions in Ronald’s memory may be sent to Christine Liberty, P.O. Box 672, Hydeville, VT 05750. Arrangements are in care of Gifford Funeral Service, 22 Depot St., Richmond.

Wayne Keith Ketcham

BRANDON — Wayne Keith Ketcham, 78, died peacefully with his family by his side, Tuesday, April 21, 2009.

Wayne, affectionately known as John, was born in Middlebury Nov. 9, 1930, the son of the late Dighton C. and Gladys (Johnson) Ketcham.

Family members include two sons, Jonathan K. Ketcham of Douglasville, Penn., and Brian L. Ketcham Sr. of Brandon; two daughters, Tamara J. Jasperson and Candace A. Willard of Ashland, Wis.; three brothers, Treverton “TD” Ketcham of Whiting, Gordon R. Ketcham of Brandon and Thomas J. Ketcham of Sudbury; nine grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by three sisters, Irene Walker, Sylvia Freemantle and Elizabeth Vissi.

To honor his request, there will be no calling hours or services at this time. A private service will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family.

He was born June 4, 1918, in Monkton, the son of Homer and Winaford (Gifford) St. Pierre.

He was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II in Company A, 4th and 5th Battalion, Fort Belvoir, Va. He lived most of his life in Massachusetts, working 30 years as a farmer at Brewer Farm and 32 years as a construction worker with Gilligan.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary; his daughter, Barbara Prime; two grandsons; and a great-granddaughter.

Friends may join the family at Libanus Lodge on North Street in Bristol on Sunday, April 26, from 1 to 3 p.m.

He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of James and Selma Allen. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and in 1985 retired as a police officer from the Nassau County Police Department in New York. In 2005 he and his wife, Virginia, moved to Moore County and settled in Carthage.

He was a member of the Independence Lodge No. 10 in Orwell, Vt., and was a past member of the Cairo Shriners in Rutland. He was also a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia M. Allen; a daughter, Christine Steingraber and husband Todd of Carthage, N.C.; a brother, George Allen of Newcastle, Neb.; and two grandchildren, Eric and Kirsten Steingraber.

A graveside service with military honors will take place at noon on Tuesday, May 12, at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in North Carolina, with Pastor Scott Homesly celebrant.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Independence Lodge No. 10, Scholarship Fund, 467 Main Street, Orwell, VT 05760, or to FirstHealth Hospice Foundation, 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374.

MIDDLEBURY — Barbara Towne of Middlebury died Tuesday, April 21, 2009, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born on Jan. 2, 1955, the daughter of Oliver Broughton and Ann Reba (Oliver) Broughton, Barbara was a U.S. Postal Service clerk for 25 years at the East Middlebury Post Office, a career of which she was most proud.

She is survived by her father, OB and his wife Claire Broughton of Monkton; her mother, Ann Broughton of Middlebury; her brothers, Michael and his wife Mary Jane Broughton of Bristol, and Steve and his wife Valerie Broughton of Poultney; her stepsister, Desi and her husband Karl Green of Monkton; her maternal grandmother, Lucille James of Middlebury; her maternal uncles, Ronald and his wife Priscilla Oliver of Ithaca, N.Y., and Eugene and his wife Marianne Oliver of Lakewood, Fla.; her maternal aunt Linda and her husband Bryan Upton of Hartland; her paternal uncle, Robert and his wife Barbara Broughton of Jericho; her paternal aunt, Helen and her husband Robert Prentice of San Diego, Calif.; her nephews, Gabriele Broughton of California and Ben and his wife Loyal Broughton of Bristol; and many cousins.

She is also survived by Susanne Button, her partner of 21 years, whom she married on Oct. 23, 2004, and Sue’s daughters, Beth and John Myers and their daughters Madelyn Myers and Kenzie Myers, all of Murray, Ky., and Erin Button of Hartford, Vt., all of whom she was very proud of and loved very much. Barbara is also survived by her dog Toby, who she loved like a son. She also leaves a multitude of warm and loving friends. She always said that the good Lord blessed her by putting such wonderful people in her life.

She was predeceased by her paternal grandparents, Oliver and Blandine Broughton, and her step-grandfather, Edwin James Sr.

As per Barbara’s wishes, there will be no calling hours. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2009, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Middlebury VFW Hall on Exchange Street. All are invited.

John Paul Plank

NEW HAVEN — John Paul Plank, longtime resident of New Haven, died April 21, 2009, of respiratory failure at Porter Medical Center in Middlebury.

He was born in Newark, N.J. on Jan. 31, 1926, the son of Pauline and John Plank. He attended school in Tenafly, N.J., where he resided until joining the United States Navy in 1943. He was part of the Amphibious Landing Force assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater, where he was awarded six battle stars and a commendation for devotion to duty while under heavy enemy attack.

On his return to civilian life he completed his high school education and attended Florida Southern College, earning a bachelor of science degree in biology. After college he was employed by the Perkin Elmer Corporation of Norwalk, Conn., as a sales executive. During this time he met his wife Claire.

John and his family moved to Winhall, Vt., in 1971, where he was active in the community, serving on the planning commission, volunteer fire department and the first-response rescue squad. Since 1980, he and Claire resided in New Haven, where they operated the New Haven Mills Tree Farm, until their recent move to Middlebury.

In addition to his wife Claire, of 54 years, he is survived by two sons, David of Rotonda West, Fla., and Kurt of North Ferrisburgh; and his five grandchildren, Max, Zoe, Margo, Karla and Phoebe.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital, Porter Medical Center, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

The family wishes to thank the many friends and others who cared for John.